Question 1

Rule 19(b) requires every vessel in restricted visibility to proceed at a safe speed adapted to the circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. How does this interact with a vessel's engines being on standby/ready for immediate manoeuvre?

Accepted Answer

Rule 19(b) explicitly requires a power-driven vessel to have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre, in addition to proceeding at a safe (typically reduced) speed — recognising that a vessel may need to respond suddenly to a contact that appears with little warning in fog Rule 19(b) pairs the safe-speed requirement with a specific instruction to have engines ready for immediate manoeuvre — in restricted visibility, contacts can appear suddenly (visually or even by radar at close range), and the ability to respond immediately (e.g. stopping or reversing) is part of the overall safety margin the rule is designed to preserve.

Question 2

Rule 5 (Look-out) requires every vessel at all times to maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing, as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions — and this duty applies even when the vessel is at anchor in a busy anchorage.

Accepted Answer

True True. Rule 5 applies 'at all times' and to 'every vessel'. A vessel at anchor in a busy anchorage still needs an effective look-out to detect drifting vessels, dragging anchors, or approaching traffic that may pose a risk of collision or contact.

Question 3

Under Rule 6 (Safe Speed), a vessel fitted with a fully operational radar and ARPA never needs to reduce speed in restricted visibility, because the equipment guarantees early detection of other vessels.

Accepted Answer

False False. Rule 6 explicitly lists radar capability as one factor to consider, but also requires accounting for the state of visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, and the limitations of radar (range scale, sea/rain clutter, blind sectors). Even a vessel with excellent radar must proceed at a speed that allows proper and effective action to avoid collision and to be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances.